Southern California SCUBA divers have been hopeful for many
years that the wreck of the USS Radford lies nearshore off
the coast of San Diego, CA. Divers are always hungry for
new shipwrecks and a 300 foot flush deck destroyer would
make a great wreck dive.

Popular belief is that she lies somewhere in the vicinity
of the USS Hogan within diving range. One local diver
claimed he discovered the Radford "along time ago".
Certainly just wishful thinking as we now know the truth.
It would require a trip to the Naval Historical Center in
Washington D.C. and a records request to the National
Archives to finally get all of the facts.

After being struck from the Naval list on May 19, 1936,
Radford was assigned as a target vessel for the DESTROYERS
BATTLE FORCE GUNNERY SCHOOL. Firings at Ex-Radford took
place during final firing week. Moored at the Coronado
Islands, USS Melville acted as a base of operations and for
quartering students during night firing periods. USS Preble
and USS Dahlgren were two of the ships that sent the
Radford to her final resting place on August 5, 1936.

Logbooks from the Preble and Dahlgren confirm the location
of the Radford at approximate position 32-15,’
117-30’. Dahlgren misreported the depth as 1000
fathoms. The actual depth is approximately 1225 meters (670
fathoms).

Unfortunately 4000 feet of water will prevent any divers
from visiting this wreck site. Ongoing research is still
needed to uncover the location of the remaining WWI
destroyers that were disposed of off of San Diego. The
search continues...

A special thanks to Scott Brooks for making the trip to
Washington D.C. and researching the San Diego Destroyers at
the Naval Historical Center.

Location of the USS Radford sunk by USS Preble and Dahlgren
on August 5, 1936.
Position shown is 28 nautical miles SW of Pt. Loma, CA in
Mexican waters.

Steaming as before; lying to astern of PREBLE. 1224 PREBLE
started gunnery school firing run #40 at speed of 25 knots,
DAHLGREN following astern on various courses. 1250 Steaming
on various courses at speed of 15 knots getting into
position for gunnery school firing run #1. 1253 Changed
speed to _ knots, held general quarters. 1302 Steadied on
course 070T, 052 PSC. Changed course to 080T, 062 PSC. 1305
Commenced firing. 1307 Ceased firing; secured from general
quarters; steaming on various courses at various speeds
observing Destroyer Scouting Force Gunnery School firing.
1401 steaming on various courses at various speeds to
rendezvous with USS KALMIA. 1504 Astern of KALMIA, slowed
to steerage way. Av. Steam 250#. Av. R.P.M. 109.75.
EX-RADFORD sank in 1,000 fathoms of water in Latitude
32-15-00N, 117-30-00W.